Hard-hitting Police Quash Troublesome Indonesian Islamists
Neither alive nor dead; FPI under Jokowi's government
Indonesia’s hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has been quietly hamstrung by hard-hitting police under the administration of President Joko Widodo, who has cracked down decisively on the organization, which was known for its reputation for raiding bars and brothels and intimidating religious minorities.
In 2020, it became clear that the national police had had enough of the FPI, which earlier had been regarded as carrying out off-the-books operations to go after people or groups the police wanted to intimidate or get rid of. After being ordered disbanded, one by one its central figures have been imprisoned on various charges, some of which appeared less than apt, including the leader Habib Rizieq Shihab (above, being detained).
According to government data, at least 35 FPI members or former members have been accused of terrorist acts and 29 have been convicted. Moreover, 206 FPI members were accused of being involved in other criminal acts and at least 100 have been found guilty. FPI through its legal representative, Sugito Atmo Prawiro, denied the accusations, saying that FPI as an organization does not support terrorism or radicalism and those who do are personally liable. In another incident, a half-dozen FPI members were gunned down in what appeared to be an ambush.
Although it has changed its name to the Islamic Brotherhood Front, it appears unlikely that the FPI will reappear given pressure from the government on other Islamic groups as well…
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